Last week’s service challenge was a little bit heavier, but I am so grateful for the support that was shown! If you’d like to learn more about Operation Underground Rescue, please see last week’s post here.

This week, I was thinking about Black Friday.

I’m sure you’re familiar with that infamous day. The day after Thanksgiving, the news is full of stories of people pushing and shoving and fighting and hurting one another so they can get a good deal on their Christmas gifts. In fact, several years ago, I walked into Walmart on Black Friday … just in time to see someone getting tasered by a police office.

Over what???

I’m not anti-Black Friday by any means. I still do a bit of shopping that day. And I am all about a good deal when I get one. But when saving money becomes more important than being kind … well, that’s when things get sad.

This past November, I was introduced to a fun page on Facebook called RAK Friday. Their goal was to take Black Friday – a day known for impatient people and short tempers – and turn it into a day full of Random Acts of Kindness (“RAKs”).

I LOVE IT.

Although it is wonderful to serve our families and our friends and our neighbors, there is a power that comes from serving a stranger. You’re doing something good, knowing that you will never be repaid. You’re reaching out of your comfort zone a bit, and you might never know what a difference you’re making.

But you are going to make a difference.

We’ve started a new feature here at Let’s Do Some Good Today: Kindness Matters Monday. Because … well, the name says it all. Kindness really does matter. But sometimes, it’s easy to forget. Sometimes don’t realize the lasting impact that out kindness can have. I hope these stories show you that it DOES matter. It CAN make a difference.

This week, I want you to go out of your way and do something for a stranger that you wouldn’t normally do. I want you to be consciously kinder than you would normally be. I don’t want you to just read this article and think, “Well, I’m a kind person already.” I know you are, and I am so grateful to have connected with all of you. But I don’t just want you to be kind – I want you to take action. I want you to go out and intentionally do something to make a stranger’s day better.

26 Comments on The Random Acts of Kindness Challenge

I am always scouring the internet for interesting things I can share on my FB page, tweet or pin. I often come across posts I think would be great for Gillys page or Tina. They are disapoointed with the slow growth of their page. This week, I will send them a link to a post for each day that could reach more viewers.

Great ways to reach out and touch someone else, even if they don’t know who you are or the why behind it. Sometimes a simple conversation or a smile can really uplift and shift someones day. We can do it in small ways or in big ways, as long as we continue to see that we are all human beings and we each have something to offer and share with others.

Great ideas! Makes me remember a few years ago at university… for a while, little postits and taped notes of encouragement appeared in random places. The ladies’ room (wouldn’t know about gents, didn’t check), in hallways, bulletin boards, etc. It was nice!

Love this blog post! Did you know that International Random Acts of Kindness Week is Feb 9-15? This is perfect timing! Our goal is to flood social media with kindness and compile 100,000 acts of kindness online at http://rakweek.randomactsofkindness.org Definitely check it out!

I love your blog, I’m also taking part in the random acts of kindness challenge on my blog for the month of February! It’s so wonderful how by doing random nice things for others- you actually end up feeling great yourself too.

Hi, Leanna! So sorry to just be getting back to you! We moved in February, and I took a few months off of blogging to take care of my family. But we are fairly settled, and I’m BACK! Thank you so much for the message – I truly appreciate it!